Epidemiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease:A general population-based study in Xi'an of Northwest China

AIM: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a commondisorder in the Western population,but detailed population-based data in China are limited.The aim of this study was tounderstand the epidemiology of symptomatic gastroesophagealreflux (SGER) in adults of Xi’an,a northwestern city of China,and to explore the potential risk factors of GERD.METHODS: Symptoms suggestive of GERD,functionaldyspepsia (FD),irritable bowel syndrome (IBS),upperrespiratory diseases and some potential risk factors wereinvestigated in a face-to-face manner in a region-stratifiedrandom samples of 2 789 residents aged 18-70 years inXi’an by using a standardized questionnaire.METHODS: With a response rate of 91.8%,the prevalenceof SGER was 16.98% (95% CI,14.2-18.92) in Xi’an adults,and no gender-related difference was observed (P<0.05).SGER was more common among subjects aged 30-70 yearsthan in those aged 18-29 years (P<0.01).The prevalenceof SGER in rural,urban and suburban subjects was 21.07%,17.44% and 12.12%,respectively,and there was asignificant difference between rural,urban and suburbanregions (P<0.05).Compared with subjects without SGER,the prevalence of symptoms suggestive of FD and IBS,pneumonia,asthma,bronchitis,laryngitis,pharyngitis,chronic cough,wheeze,globus sensation,oral ulcer andsnore was significantly increased in subjects with SGER(P<0.01).Heavy smoking (OR=5.76; CI,3.70-6.67),heavyalcohol use (OR=2.85; CI,1.67-4.49),peptic ulcer (OR=5.76;CI,3.99-8.32),cerebral palsy (OR=3.97; CI,1.97-8.00),abdominal operation (OR=2.69; CI,1.75-4.13),obesity(OR=2.16; CI,1.47-3.16),excessive food intake (OR=1.43;CI,1.17-1.15),sweet food (OR=1.23; CI,0.89-1.54),and consumption of coffee (OR=1.23; CI,0.17-2.00) wereindependently associated with SGER.The episodes of GERDwere commonly precipitated by dietary factors (66.05%),followed by body posture (26.54%),ill temper (23.72%),fatigue (22.32%) and stress (10.93%).CONCLUSION: GERD is common in Xi’an’s adult populationwith a mild or moderate degree.The etiology and pathogenesisof GERD are probably associated with FD,IBS,and somerespiratory,laryngopharyngeal and odontostological diseasesor symptoms.Some lifestyles,diseases and dietary factorsare the risk factors of GERD.